Machine for loading cartridge-cases.



No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, IBM.

J. P. DE BBAAM. MACHINE FUR LOADING CARTRiDGE CASES. (Application filed Aug; 18, 1899.) (No lflodeL) I6 Sheets-8h6ot llwflvmp w/msssss;

A TTORIVE YS No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, 190i. J. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOB LOADING CARTRIDGE BASES.

I (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899. (No Model.) A IB'Shaets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES:

A rroelvsrs No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, I90l.

, J.'P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed .A ug. 18, 1399.

(no Model.) 16 Sheets-sheaf 3,

INVEN70H WiTNESSES: I )3 6 i ,4 TTORNE Y3 J. P. DE BRAAM. MACHINE FOB LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.)

No. 668,906. Pat6nt6d Feb. 26, IN". 6

(No Iodel.) l6 sham-sum 41 //v VENTOI? WITNESSES; M MAM A TTO/IN 5 Y5 No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, l90l. .1. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES. (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.)

l6 Sheets-8heet 5,

No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, mm.

J. P. DE BRAAM. MACHINE FUR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

' (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets-Sheet 6,

mumnn [I liillllll Fly 9 I Fly. 18.

WITNESSES:

' d flz No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, l90l.

J. P. DEv BRAAM. MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES. (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) is Sheets-$heet 7.

Fly. 34

105' l g I 1 g W/ TNESSES: I'N VENTOE? A TTOIM/E Y8 Patented Feb. 26, I90I.

J. 9. DE BRAA'M. MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.)

I6 $heets-S heet 3.

(No Model.)

//v VEN 70H A TTORNE rs Patented Feb. 26, I901;

J. P. DE B RAAM. MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Shbets-$heet 9.

INVENTOI? WITNESSES- A TTORNE rs Patented Feb. '26, |9o|.'

J. P DE BRAAM. MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

, (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.) l6 Sheets-Sh6et l0.

m w 6 X, ,6 My \v 6,

INVENTUH WITNESSES? "roam-1 No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, l90l.

- J. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOB LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

- (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) I6 Sheets-Sheet ll.

/NVEN70H No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, l90l. J. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets-Sheet l2.

Fly. 2].

//V VE/WOR i-V/Z'NESSES: I kzabo/z/ M fag I ATIORNFYS Patented Feb. 26, I901.

J. P. DE BBAAM. MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets-Sheet l3.

wins/53353.-

Illa

A TTOHNEYS Pate nted Feb. 26, |90|.

J. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.)'

. l6 Sheets-Sheot M.

(No Model.)

IN VEN 7'05? WITNESSES:

A TTOHNE Y8 No. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, I901. v .1. P. DE BRAAM.

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Shaets-She6t l5.

Fig. 27

III

16 .36 Fig. 55.

' V //v VEN70I? WITNESSES: (65 4 ATTORNEYS N0. 668,906. Patented Feb. 26, mm.

.1. P. DE BRAAM. I MACHINE FUR LOADING CARTRIDGE CASES.

(Application filed Au 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

. VEN 70/? I public of France,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACQUES PIERRE DE BRAAM, OF PARIS, FRANCE;

MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE-CASES.

:sPEcirIcA'rIoN formingpart of Letters Patent No. 66e,906, dated February'26, 190i.

I Application filed Ahgust 18, 1899. Serial No. 727,701. (No model.)

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACQUES PIERRE DE BRAAM, of 27 Rue Hamelin, Paris, in the Rehave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Loading Cartridge-Cases, of. which the following is a specification. T he machinesthat have hitherto been constructed for loading the cases of sporting- -cartridges have fulfilled only very imperfectly the object for which they have been intended, which is to efiectnnechanically the following operations: The-cases which are distributed by the operator or are brought to the machine by an inclined plane receive successively, v first, afcharge of powder; second, a powderwad; third, a charge ofsbot; fourth, a shotwad; finally, fifth, the-edge of the cartridge-- close or fasten the case is 'cri'm ped, so as to case, and, sixth, the finished cartridge isexpolled from the machine. All the existing machiues,therefore,finisha cartridgeinseven' steps, which correspond to'the introduction.-

of a caseinto a receiv i ng device in which it isconducted snccessively iinder' the devices that effect at each sl ce ding step one of the :six operations hereinbefore'enumerated.-

The essential'devicesconstituting the improved machinehereinafter described have the same functions as the corresponding parts I of the known machines; but the improve? ments that I have invented enablethe ing new etfects to be produced: 1

First. The special ceiving and retaining the cases issuch that it will adapt itself to cases of various calibers which can be loaded by one and the same machine.

Second. The device for retaining the case automatically throws out of gear all the devices for distributing powder, shot, and wads when it is not provided'with a case, the consequence of which is to prevent all loss of material and any injury to the machine when by inadvertence, by negligence, or from any other cause the distribution of cases is interrupted. i

Third.

essaril y audexact ly in agreement with the requ1rementsthat powder and of she is' tosay, the charges of r;,-fa's well'as the wads, oc-

actly the space and the cupyin the case "chine reduced to its principal parts.

follow:

The manufactured cartridgeis necplace that have been assigned to them. In order to obtain the best result, the impor tance of whichis evident, I causea lever for stopping the machine to be acted upon bythe wad-driving pistons and one of thedevi'ces of the wad-distributor. It results from this that if in consequence'of an insnfficient charge of powder or of shot one of the wad-d ri-ving pis tons makes a longer movement than that assigned to it in order that the cartridge may be regular the machine is automatically stopped. The same effect is produced when the provision of wads runs short.

In order that the'particular. means that I employ to attain the resultsthat I'have just enumerated maybe fully understood, I will now describe, the machine represented in-detail in the accompanying drawings, whereof- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the ma- Fig. 2 I Fig. 3 is asecalong lin'eA'B of Fig.

is a corresponding side View, tion,.on a larger scale,

2 Fig. 4 is asectional plan, on a larger D of Fig.3,sbowingthe'det-ails (if the transmission of the movement ofplate 3, which carries the special receiving and holding parts for the shells. Figs. 5 and Gare detailzplans of the cam b. and. thedisk d, which are keyed; respectively,

on the shafts 7 and Sand which serve to assure the intermittent stop of the shaft 8. Fig. 7 is a partial top plan of the plate 3 which carries the special pa'rts for holding the shells. device intended forre- This figure sshows in section the ejector which serves to throw out the finished cartridge from the apparatus. Fig. 8 isa detail planet the fixed plate 2. Fig. 9 is a detail elevation showing the shell-holding Oig'fllEEiihQ disengaging-finger lowered by the cam '36 of plate 2, and the finished cartridge 46 subjected tothe action of the ejector which throws it out of-the machine. Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of the part receiving and holding the shellsin the position which is occupied ,by-its diiferent pieces before a shell is taken in or which they assume whenthe shell has not fallen into the receiving-bucket intended to receive them. Fig. 11 is a detail in longitudinal section ofthe shell-distributor fixed ,on plate 2 and' showing an empty shell, just expelled from the inclined planelfi into the bucket 15, (first action.) Fig. i2 is a detail showing in sectioual elevation the shell seized in the claws 23 in its passage under the powder-distributer, (second action.) Fig. 13 is a similar detail showing the passage of the shell under the powder-wads after the wad has been put line 0 P of Fig. 37, showing the setter or crimper and its operating-organs in elevation. Fig. 18 is a lateral elevation of the ejector which'throws out from the apparatus the finished cartridges, (seventh action.) Figs. 19 and 20 are views of the two different sides, showingin perspective the general plan of the machine. Fig. 21 is a vertical detail section along the axis of the powder-receptacle 37, showing the actuation of the powder-stirrer 48. Fig. 22 is a normal vertical detail section of Fig. 21, showing the distributing and regulating organs or elements of the powder-charge and their-disengagement by the'finger or stop dog. Fig. 23 is a similar vertical section to the rightof the shot orlead distributer. Fig. 24 is a plan taken from the top of plate 1. Fig. 25 is a detail plan which shows how the tail end of the blade or plate 51 is normally brought togetherat the fork-shaped extremity of the rack by the horizontal pin 61 on the arm 62. Fig. 26 is a vertical sec tion elevation showing the detail of the powder-wad distributer. Fig. 27isasimilardetail'of the shot-wad distributer. Figs. 28 and '29 are vertical section elevations of details showing, respectively, the actuation of the wads for the powder and shot pressers. Fig;

30 is an elevation of the wad-presser for the powder, showing the counter piece or tappet 96, which engages the machine if the travel or stroke of the piston 84: should be too great.

Fig. 31 is a similar elevation of the shot-wad press and of the counter piece or tappet 97. Fig. 32 is a detail plan showing the elements .which under the action of the tappet-pieces 96 and 97 disengage automatically the machine when the wad-pres's has too great a stroke. Fig. 33 is alateral elevation of the guide-fork of the operating-strap of the machine. Fig. 34 is a corresponding rear elevation showing the connections of the fork with the automatic coupling and disengaging elements. Figs. 35 and 36 are details of the coupling or engaging elements. Fig. 37 isa partial detail plan taken over plate '1 and showing the actuation of the crimperorsetter 120. Fig. 38 is a section elevation along M N of Fig. 37. i

The figures show that the machine comprises three plates 1 2 3viz., a plate 3 havingan intermittent rotary movement, carrypart of the pinion ing seven identical parts, each of which serves to receiveat the first step and to retain during the five succeeding steps a case which is ejected at the seventh step by an ejector, and two fixed plates 1 2. The plate 1 carries the cartridge-cases distributing and filling devices, and serves, with the plate 2, for

supporting the mechanism for transmitting,

movement thereto. All these devices operate while the plate 3 is at rest, and, vice versa,

while the plate 3 advances the said devices cease to operate or to produce any useful efiect. 'lhe fixed plate 2'is carried by columns s, fixed to a frame 1, itself carried by a pedestal t.

At the axis of the machine there is arranged a shaft, 8, which passes freely through the centers of the plates 1, 2, and 3. This'shaft 8, by means of which all the filling devices are actuated, receives'an intermittent rotary movement, which alternates with thatjgiven to the plate 3. The movement is given to'the driving-shaft 4, which carries a fixed pulley pand an adjacent loose pulleyq, either by hand or by a motor. This movement'is'transinitt'ed by bevel-pinions 5 and 6 to a shaft 7, FigsQl and 3,'on which are keyed at suitable levels twopartiallytoothed pinions e'and 11,.

which are shown in Figs. 1 and 4c. "lhe toothed e engages with a toothed ring'a, fixed to the plate 3, while the toothed part of the pinion ll'engages with a pinion 10, keyed on the shaft. 8. When in consequence of the continuous rotary movement of the shaft-7 the teeth of the pinion e engage with the teeth of the ring a, the latter rotates. In order that the plate 3 may stop precisely at the instant when the smooth part of the pinion 6 comes opposite to the teeth of the. ring a, a cam c, keyed on thesh'aft 7, Figs. 3 and 4, engages in recesses 9, having outlines of the form of arcs of circles made in the ring above the toothed part. The absolutestoppage of the shaft 8 at the moment when the toothed part of the pinion 11 escapes from the teeth of the pinion 10 is insured by'a cam b, Figs. 3, 4:, and 5, the projecting part 12 of which engages in a recess 13 of a disk (1, Figs. 3, 4, and 6, keyed on the shaft 8. Now. that I have indicated how the plate 3 (which carries theseven identical receiving devices) receives an intermittent rotary movement whose periods alternate withthe intermittent movements of the shaft 8 (which actuates the distributing and filling devices) I shall describe these devices successively, pointing out the newelements and arrangements that characterize them and enable them to produce the new elfects hereinbefore mentioned.

The plate 3 carries seven identical devices for receiving and holding the cartridge-cases. One of these devices is drawn in detail in plan in Fig. 7 and'in longitudinal elevation in Fig.- 10. The latter figure shows the device as it is before receiving a case. In the general perspective views Figs. 19 and '20 spring-claws that are shown a series of these devices, each furnished with a case after their passage underl between them=and also operate adisengagi'nglever, which acts on thedifferent filling devices when the claws are not spread outthat is to say,

opposite sides of the recess 14:.

-which ends in the form of ,7, while the other arm carries suffi'ciently when a receivingcup 15 contains no case, It will be seen immediately that these new holding devices enable the caliber of the case to be varied and all distribution of charge (powder, shot, and wads) to be stoppedautomatically when the machine is not fed with cases. In one with the plate 3 are cast two supports and 26 for two parallel axles 27, Fig. 10, arranged on On' each axle 27 is mounted a bent lever, one arm 28 of afork or claw, Fig. a toothed sector The teeth of one of the sectors engage with those of the other. Around one of the axles 27 is coiled a spring 30,.which bears withone of its ends on or is attached to the plate 3, while its other end bears against'the corresponding claw 28, tending thus conin a receptacle in ranged on the left 3; The free end of thelong arm of the stan'tly to cause the two claws to approach each other. The toothed sectors 29 cause the claws tomove in .unison. With one of the claws is connected a bent-lever 31, the short arm of which engages by means of -a pin 34 the form of a bracket ar-. claw. The bent lever is mounted to rock on an axle 32,'carried by a support 33, which is cast in one with the plate lever 31 carries a finger 35. I When this 'finger is lowered, the claws tend to go apart. Asa matter of fact the smallarm of the angle-lever ma'kes the left claw turn left and that takes along in an inverse movement the"opposite claw. by the action of the toothed-sectors 29. When the claws hold acase between them, thefinger 35 is lowered and is thereby cease, 1.1 the contrary,

mechanically Plat-e12 carries on held in a determinate position. When there is no case between the claws, the finger rises and touches the plate 2. If the devicesf'for stopping the distribution of powder, shot, and wads are arranged in the path of the finger- 35 in.such.a-n1anner that the latter encounters the said devices when it is in the raised position, and passes below them when it is lowered, the distribution will take place regularly when the claws hold .a case. It will when for any reason whatever the feeding of cases stops.

I shall now indicate how the various charging and distributing devices act.

I in elevation and in plan,the inclined plane 16, on which the cases are placed by hand or brought its lower face a projection 36, Figs. 1, 2,and 8, which I forms a cam and formsjnclined planes at its ends. This cam is shown in Fig. 1 in longito the plate 2..

tudinal elevation, in 2 in lateral eleva; tion, and in plan and in dotted lines in'Fig.

8. It serves to lower at its passage the'fins 7o empty shell, (first action) As soon" as during the rotary movement of the plate 3'the cam the claws commence to open and they re main 'open'unt-il the moment when the finger finger 35 of the lever 31 comes against the said has quitted'the inclined plane that termiuates I 8Q the cam. When they I retain at that time a shell received in the meantime, they rest spread open by the shell whichis held tightv between them. .As the claws. ought to open to permit the ejector to expel a filled car.-

tridge, as well as to permit the .cup 15 after becoming empty to receive a new case, the cam 36 is arranged aboveand opposite to the case-distributer and to thedevice that actuates the ejector, (first and seventh steps.) I Fig.11 shows in detail and in longitudinal sectional elevation the case-d-istributer fixed This distributerw-ill be seen, moreover, in plan in Fig. 8, in elevation in Figs. land 2, andin perspective in 19. On the shaft 8 is keyed a pinion '17, Figs.,1, 2, 3, 8, and 19, which engages with the pinion 18 of thedistributerand causes the latter to turn wheneverthe shaft 8 itself. is put into movement, turn the bevel-pinions 19 and 20.

The latter is keyed on an axle 21, carrying ger 22, the horizontal bend of which in turning passes into arecess 23, arranged in theend of the inclined plane 16, Fig. 8. The. zontal branch of the fingeror' lever 22 then encounters the end casein the inclined plane 16, putsit into an upright'pdsition, and brings it into the guide-tube-24, whence it falls-into the cup clearly at 46 in Fig. 11, (first step.) To'each revolution of the plate 3 correspond seven r'evoln tions of the distributor; It follows that cachtime that a receiving-cup 15 willpresent ltself'n nder the tube 2.4a case will fall therein, l

the claws 28 being opened to allow it to pass,

as a result of the'acti'on'of the cam 36.0n thefinger-135. As soon as this finger quits the cam the claws again press on the case, the finger 35.

The pinion 18 actuates in its roo hori r05 15 to occupy the position indicated no remaining thereby sufficiently lowered in or der-not to encounter the disengaging devices. The shaft 8 remaining at rest, the plate 3 ad vances by a seventh of'a revolution and the case 46, held in the cup 15,presents itself under the powder-distributer, Figs. 12, 19,21,

and 22. The powder escapes through a passage 47', havi'ng'internally the shape of a conicaLfrustum.. It is placed in a reservoir 37, Figs 19, 20, and21, at the .bottom of 'which its movement from a connecting-rod 49, itself actuated by a sin-all pinion 50, which engages it is agitated by an agitator 48, which receives 1 o der and the distribution of the shot are effected by known means. The charge or powder is regulated between two palettes 38 and 51, Figs. 21 and '22, which are alternately opened and closed; The charge of shot is likewise regulated between two palettes 52 and 53, Fig. 23, that are alternately opened and closed. Fig. 24 shows the means for controlling the two upper palettes 38 and 52. The rods 39 and 54 of these palettes are provided, respectively, at their ends with racks 40 and 55, which engage with the vertical pinion 41, Figs. 2 and 24. This pinion receives its movement from a toothed sector 42, pivoted at 43 to the plate 1 and provided with a roller 44, Fig. 24, on which acts a cam 45, keyed on the shaft 8, Figs. 3 and 24. It is during the passage of the roller 44 in the recess of the cam that the palettes 38 and 52' are successively opened or closed and that' the charges of powder and of shot are ad mitted between the palettes which limitthem. The retaining-palettes 51 and 53, the retreat of which allows the charges of powder and-of shot, respectively,-to escape, are actuated, as is indicated in the plan, Fig. 24 and in Figs. 22 and 23, which are sections, respectively, corresponding to the lines I J and K L of Fig. 24. Instead of being connected directly to their operating-racks 56 and 57, respectively, which receive movement from the vertical pinion 58, the palettes are coupled to the said racks bya coupling which is disengaged when it is actuated by the finger or knob 35 of the bent lever connected to the caseholding claws.

As shown in the detailed plan, Fig. 25, the.

rack terminates in a fork in which fits the rear end of the palette. A pin 61, Fig. 22, carried by a short rod 62, engages both in a receptac'leor recess 63 in the end of the palette and in two recesses in the fork which terminates the rack. The connecting-rod 62 is connected to an axle 64, which is carried by the end of the short' arm of the bent disengaging-lever 59. When in consequence of the absence of a case the finger 35, which then is in its raised position, Fig. 10, comes, as indicated in Fig. 22, to abut against the lower end of the bent lever 59, the pin 61 is raised, it escapes from the recess 63, Fig. 25, and locates itself in the upper and wider part of recess 63 and the rack 56 and the palette'51 cease to be in rigid connection. It follows that the palette remains fixed, while the rack only is displaced bypinion 58, and the powder instead of escaping remains between the palettes 51 and 38. A spring 64 automatically brings the pal-v ette back into engagement with the rack as soon as the finger 35 has abandoned the disengaging-lever 59 and when the recesses 63.

pass nnderthe pins 61 opposite to the latter. As is'indicated in Figs. 23 and 24, the-arrangement is identically the same for the lower palette 53 of the shot-distributer.

and 57, that are coupled with these palettes, engage, moreover, as I have indicated above,

weight at their free ends.

The racks 56 with the same vertical pinion 58. The latter receives its. movement from a toothed sector 65, which is pivoted at 66 to the plate 2, Fig. 70 8, and is furnished with a roller 67, actuated by a cam 68, keyed on the shaft 8, Figs. 3 and 8; 'The 'case charged with powder, as indicated at f in. Fig. 12, immediately presents itself nnderthe powder-wad distributor. The

distribution of powder-wads, as well as that.

of lead-wads, is effected in my improved machine as in the analogous known machines. The wads g i, arranged, respectively, in the cylinders 69 and 70, Figs. 26 and 27, are pushed one by one by the wad-drivers 71 and 72 into theadjacent cylinders 73 74, whence they fall in to the case to be immediately submitted to the action of a piston, which formsa wad-press, Figs. 28 and 2.). Like the palettes 51 and-53 for. retaining the charges of powder and lead, the wad-drivers 71 and 72 are not connected rigidly to their operating-racks. As shown in plan in Fig. 8 and in sectional elevation in Figs. 26 and 27, the 9c wad-drivers are connected to their operatingracks 75 and 76 by an engaging and disengaging arrangement in every respect like that which I have hereinbefore described for the palettes 51 and 53 for retaining the.charges of powder and of shot, the levers 77 and 78 being always controlled by the finger or knob 35, when the latter, in consequence of the absence of a case, is in its raised position. The wads are therefore distributed only when the r claws hold a case. 7

The racks 75 and 76for actuating the waddrivers receive their movement from theverticalpinion 79, which isv integral with the pinion 58 and is actual ed inconsequence at 'I the same time as the latter by the toothed sector 65, Fig. 8. The descent of-the wads in the cylinders 69 and 70 is facilitated by the rods 80 and 81, which are loaded with a These rods carry, I respectively, pins 82 83, each of which slides vin a groove inthe corresponding cylinder,

Figs. 26, 27, and 20, and come, when the provision of wads fails, to act, as I will hereinafter indicate,on the stopping-lever of the ma- 1 chine. r x g The powder-wad g, engaged in the case, as indicated in Fig. 13, is pushed and compressed by the wad-press84, Figs. 28 and 30. This wad-press carries a rack 85, the teeth of 1 which engage witha sector 86, which is pivoted'to a support 87, cast in one with the plate 1, Fig. 19, The free'end-of the rod of the sector 86 carries a roller 88, controlled: by a cam 89, keyed on the shaft 8. The shot-wad 1 press 90, Figs. 29 and 31, likewise receives its movement through the intermediary'of a rack 91 and a sector 92, pivoted to a support 93. This'sector'carries at the end of its red a roller 94,-which is actuated by a cam 95, keyed on the shaft 8. By the milled disks m, Figsrl9, 20, 30, and 31, there are fixed, respectively, 'to'the powder-wad pressand to the lead-wad press stop-pieces-96 97 the lower 

